 Author |
 Post
|
 |
|
That guy
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 286 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male & 23
Country: United States
Province/State: Louisiana
City: New Orleans
|
Why care?
September 19, 2006 - 10:56 PM
|
|
Many of the issues discussed on this site have little or no impact on the lives of those who discuss them. Third world poverty, world hunger, women's rights in Muslim countries, the Darfur genocide, global warming and others all do not have much bearing on the average teenager's life.
Yet I find it impossible to not care. Most of you must feel the same way, because these issues are so frequently discussed.
For example, I have no reason to care about third world hunger. Regardless, I recently participated in the Heifer Foundation. I donated money, and they shipped a flock of chickens to a family in Ghana that needed them. My motives are very simple: somewhere in Ghana someone is happy to know that someone cares about them, and that is enough. I'm not trying to get into heaven (I'm Atheist) or save the world.
Please share why you care. I am interested in understanding other people's reasons for getting involved.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Enigma
Joined: Aug 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 26
Country: New Zealand
|
Re: Why care?
September 19, 2006 - 11:28 PM
|
|
how can u say global warming does not have an impact on some people?
Global warming has an impact on EVERYONE living on this planet. forexample, It's not just the small islands that will be affected by rising sea levels as a result of melting ice sheets at the poles.
Weather catastrophies such as increasingly worsening hurricanes,floods and more frequent bush fires are globally dispersed. In New Zealand we have already felt the wrath of the bad weather with a pattern develping for floods in the Bay of Plenty and Wairarapa almost every year.
so yeah, global warming and climate change does affect all of us, otherwise why would it be called global warming?
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
That guy
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 286 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 23
Country: United States
Province/State: Louisiana
City: New Orleans
|
Re: Why care?
September 20, 2006 - 12:06 AM
|
|
AotearoaMaori wrote:
how can u say global warming does not have an impact on some people?
Global warming has an impact on EVERYONE living on this planet. forexample, It's not just the small islands that will be affected by rising sea levels as a result of melting ice sheets at the poles.
Weather catastrophies such as increasingly worsening hurricanes,floods and more frequent bush fires are globally dispersed. In New Zealand we have already felt the wrath of the bad weather with a pattern develping for floods in the Bay of Plenty and Wairarapa almost every year.
so yeah, global warming and climate change does affect all of us, otherwise why would it be called global warming?
I'm from New Hampshire, a far northern state in the U.S. A few degrees warmer in the middle of the winter is actually kind of nice...
Still, global warming was a bad example of what I meant.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Enigma
Joined: Aug 15, 2006
Posts: 7 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 26
Country: New Zealand
|
why I care
September 20, 2006 - 01:05 AM
|
|
First of all, I'm not religious either but in saying that i am not athiest either. My parents were raised from Catholic and Anglican backgrounds although neither of them are actively involved in church although my dad practices aspects of Buddism.
As an outsider looking in I have noticed that alot of conflict has been the result of religious beliefs, each party beliefing their God is the right and The Only God. When really they are not much different from each other.
I envision a world where everyone can come to terms with their differences and accept each other regardless of race, creed or colour.
I don't envision world peace and comple harmony because that is ludicrous to think that we can suddenly get HUMAN KIND to agree with everything. It is human nature to belief ones own views are the RIGHT view. But it would be great if we can atleast agree to disagree, embrace our difference as part of the individual persons uniquesness and what makes YOU, YOU.
-M
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Adhiambo
Joined: Jun 19, 2006
Posts: 14 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 25
Country: Kenya
Province/State: Nairobi Area
City: Nairobi
|
Re: Why care?
September 20, 2006 - 08:21 AM
|
|
you are right it's good to know someone cares.
" I'm from a third world country"( Kenya) and I see hunger and famine in my country and neighbouring countries, extreeme poverty, wars and all the stuff you talk about.
I care because I live here and I want to help in any way I can make my country a better place to live in. there's not much more I can add on to that.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
MOHAMMED ALIYU PAIKO
Joined: Apr 18, 2005
Posts: 106 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Chatterbox
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 42
Country: Malaysia
Province/State: Pulau Pinang
City: Penang
|
Re: Why care?
September 20, 2006 - 08:32 AM
|
|
To care or not care about what happens to others can be understood both from the religious angle and from without.
It takes just common reasoning as a human being to see why one ought to care. You could say you have no reason to care now about, say hunger and poverty in Africa or any other developing coutry because where you live, there is no hunger and probably poverty is reduced to such an insignificant extent that you hardly notice it. So, why would some one living in such conditions care about what other people eat or drink or if they do not eat at all? I think the reason why I care is because I some time try to put myself in the shoes of those people who are not as lucky as I am, to afford what I eat what I drink? I try to imgine what it would be like if it were me. More over, nothing gives one the absolute guarantee that tomorrow, you can not be in the same situation inspite of the fact that today is just good.
Look at the victims of Tsunamis, hurricanes and other natural dissasters. Most of them were living very comfortable lives before the dissaster struck and turned them into either refugees or destitutes or both, to the point where some of them lost everything!
You do not have to be religious to care, it is to me, a mere expression of the soft and sensible part of the human race to CARE what fellow humans are going through, with the hope that if you too happen to fall victim of a natural dissaster or misgovernment or any other form of natural injustice that is beyond your control, some one somewhere would understand your situation and try to help you bear the burden by assisting in the least way posible.
There are so many write-ups as to the religious angle, so I am incompetent to say more.
I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY BEING HUMAN TO CARE!
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Michael
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 11 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 31
Country: Australia
Province/State: South Australia
City: Adelaide
|
Re: Why care?
September 20, 2006 - 09:46 AM
|
|
What a fantastic question!
When I initially saw the heading on the TIG front page my eyes popped!
After reading your post (and calming down) I see your question as: What motivates us as humans?
My situation is similar to yours in that I walk around a beautiful city called Adelaide, in Australia and everything does seem perfectly fine, so why should I care?
But how can I not.
For example, how can I enjoy an expenisve first class meal, without feeling guilty the whole time. Because I know what could be done with the money to alleviate so many other peoples hunger. (this just my recent experience for my birthday)
So is my volunteerism selfish, in that I just want to get rid of that guilt? Or am I doing it purely because I care about my brothers and sisters who are having a much harder time than myself?
I think that is often a difficult question to answer... and unless you are like some of the other amazing people on this site who appear to have much more compassion for others than me, or who directly experience the suffering you were initally referring to everyday, then its probably a bit of both
For me, I have visited India and Nepal and seen the standard of living of some pretty poor people, first hand. That was enough to motivate me, to do something, whether it is selfish or not. Because something needs to be done!
I hope that helps, and good luck.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Angela Machonesa
Joined: Sep 13, 2006
Posts: 1 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Tongue-tied
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 27
Country: Zimbabwe
Province/State: Harare
|
Re: Why care?
September 21, 2006 - 08:47 AM
|
|
Dear all.
I have every hope that this platform will enhance world development, tolerance and respect for humanity.
With one chid being raped every four minutes in the world and the culprit being left to roam the streets, i have every reason to care.
With every African child born today with a debt burden that she/he has to carry for a life time, i have every reason to care.
Because of illegitemate wars around the world, imbalance of power, torture of innocent people, pollution of the atmospheric air, degradation of the environment, disrespect of human rights and justice,pornography, I HAVE EVERY REASON TO CARE.
It does not take a religion colour or creed to see evil, it is all about conscience, having a heart and love for all.
If us the new and young generation do not stand up and demand peace, security and love for all. the world will surely be doomed.
Better learn to care now than wait until there is noone to care about.
I AM AN AFRICAN NOT BECAUSE I WAS BORN IN AFRICA BUT BECAUSE AFRICA WAS BORN IN ME.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Michael
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 11 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Soft-spoken
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 31
Country: Australia
Province/State: South Australia
City: Adelaide
|
Re: Why care?
September 21, 2006 - 10:25 PM
|
|
Dear smillingangel
That is a very thoughtful and moving post. Thank you.
I too hope that this platform and many other initatives around the world are the seed to iniate real change.
Take care
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Hilary
Joined: Aug 28, 2006
Posts: 30 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Talkative
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 20
Country: Australia
Province/State: New South Wales
City: Sydney
|
Re: Why care?
October 20, 2006 - 07:21 AM
|
|
I think that this is a great question to ask and I notice that many people I go to school have the same problem. Showing the impatience of our generation, when they can't understand or if they can't immediately relate to a situation, especially things such as poverty it is difficult to really care enough to make a difference.
Luckily, I have had not experience with real poverty. I have been able to wake up in a warm bed in a safe house with knowledge that I can go to school and have food waiting in the cupboard, and I can't possibly describe that feeling.
However many people, especially when we live in such a lucky country as Australia will say, oh a child dies every three seconds from poverty, that's so sad. They can't really imagine the circumstance, they don't see a tiny, fragile child taking it's last breath or the sheer numbers that poverty takes as victims every day. That's why many don't care.
Yet, that feeling I get very morning when I wake up is why I care. Because I know every person is entitled to it. They have every right to have that feeling and know that they have woken up in a warm bed in a safe house with school to go to and food in the cupboard, that's why I care. I don't want to imagine countless numbers of children, the same ages of my brothers and sister having to suffer in any way- they don't deserve it, because they are human and deserve their humanity. That's why I care.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
Rana Lo.
Joined: Jul 11, 2003
Posts: 138 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Chatterbox
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Female, 2011
Country: Egypt
Province/State: Al Iskandariyah
City: Alexandria
|
Re: Why care?
October 23, 2006 - 08:55 AM
|
|
We care because we still have some human emotions unlike many who have become numb 
We care because we believe that it takes more than one person to make the world a better place, to help those in need.
We care because we gone beyond materialistic things and care for humans.
We care because we have become selfless and think of others rather than ourselves.
Somebody said the rights of Muslim women, please dont make sweeping statements. Islam has nothing to do with Muslim women actually Islam has given her many rights that unfortunatley been taken by some men in order to remain powerful.
If only women knew their rights, as in educated, and have the guts to fight for them then they'll be equal.
I just want to make something clear religion is usually the scapegoat to any wrong deeds when actually the problem is far more deeper than religion. Don't blame religions blame those who commit them.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
That guy
Joined: Sep 17, 2006
Posts: 286 (view all)
Poster Rank:
Blabbermouth
User is
Offline
Gender & Age: Male, 23
Country: United States
Province/State: Louisiana
City: New Orleans
|
Re: Why care?
October 23, 2006 - 08:57 PM
|
|
Romaica wrote:
We care because we still have some human emotions unlike many who have become numb *
We care because we believe that it takes more than one person to make the world a better place, to help those in need.
We care because we gone beyond materialistic things and care for humans.
We care because we have become selfless and think of others rather than ourselves.
Somebody said the rights of Muslim women, please dont make sweeping statements. Islam has nothing to do with Muslim women actually Islam has given her many rights that unfortunatley been taken by some men in order to remain powerful.
If only women knew their rights, as in educated, and have the guts to fight for them then they'll be equal.
I just want to make something clear religion is usually the scapegoat to any wrong deeds when actually the problem is far more deeper than religion. Don't blame religions blame those who commit them.
Wow, this is getting ridiculous. I must have insulted you inadvertantly in every way possible by now, Romainca. I must seem pretty evil... About the women's rights thing, no I didn't mean all muslim women are cattle. Unfortunately, from reading I have gathered that there are some muslim men who might like it if what I implied was true, and I find this rather upsetting. There are plenty of non-muslim men who want the same basic thing too. I put it on the list because some oppressed woman I will never meet who isn't even on my continent is the perfect example of someone who I have no logical reason to care about, yet would rather things were different anyway.
|
|
back to top |
link to this post
|
|
|
Display posts from:
|
Home
Community
